Administrator of



(No Model.)

J. A. LAMPLUGH, Deod. C. F. BROWN, Administrator.

' BICYCLE SADDLE.

No. 595,5 l Paten-td Dec 4, 1897.

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PATENT CHARLES F. BROVN, OF READING, MASSACHUSETTS, ADMINISTRATOR OF JAMES ALFRED LAMPLUGH, DEOEASED.

BICYCLE-SADDLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,599, dated I )ecember 14, 1897. Application filed October 8, 1897. Serial No. 654,517. (No model.) Patented in England March 8, 1892, No. 4,588.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that JAMES ALFRED LAMP-- which is of comparatively stiff material, such as sole-leather, and suitable metallic supporting-fixtures therefor, and has awidened rear portion constituting the seat proper and a narrower portion projecting forward from the seat portion and constituting a horn or pommel.

The invention has for its object to provide certain improvements in the construction of a saddle of this class, whereby the forward portion, while affording the usual lateral su pport for the riders legs, will present a yielding top surface adapted to prevent injurious pressure on the perineum, thus overcoming a well-known objection to ordinary saddles of this type in which the portion of the saddle on which the perineum bears is practically rigid, as in the ordinary sole-leather saddle.

The invention consists in a bicycle-saddle constructed substantially as hereinafter described and claimed.

Of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure l shows a side elevation of the saddle. Fig. 2 shows a bottom plan view. Fig. 3 shows alongitudinal section. Fig. 4 shows a longitudinal section of a modified construction;

In the drawings, o, represents the seat portion, and a' the horn portion or pommel. These parts maybe of the usual general form and construction and are preferably made of a single piece of sole-leather suitably molded and attached to the usual or any suitable metallic supporting-pieces.

In carrying out the invention an elastic cushion is provided extending lengthwise of the saddle throughout the greater part of the length of the horn, said cushion being located between and projecting above the side portions of the horn and arranged to support the perineum of the rider and prevent injurious pressure thereon. Said cushion is preferably constructed and applied as follows: In the comparatively stiff body ofthe saddle a longitudinal opening CL2 is out, extending from the forward part of the seat portion lengthwise of the pommel and nearly to the forward end of the latter, the opening terminating just behind the metallic fixture, which holds 6o the forward end of the horn in place. A flexible pocket k is secured to the edges of this opening and lls the same, and said pocket is designed to be inflated by air under pressure, and preferably by being supplied with a thin rubber bag having a valve for inflating purposes and arranged to be admitted into the pocket through a suitably-laced slit therein. However, the pocket might bein- Hated without the inner bag, orit might sim- 7o. ply contain air at atmospheric pressure.

It has been found by practical experience that this improved saddle relieves the rider of the discomfort due to the pressure lof the perineum on a comparatively hard surface .and is at the same time sufliciently stable to enable the rider to exert his muscular force to good advantage, it being in this respect more desirableV than so-called pneumatic7 saddles, in which the entire supporting-sur- 8o face is air-cushioned and therefore unstable.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 4 the saddle-top is made in two pieces-a strong under piece f and a thin covering-piece g-and between these pieces is inserted an air-cushion i, extending along the pommel. An air-cushion h is also introduced between the 'two layers of leather at the cantle of the saddle.

vIn order to further the yielding property of the pommel portion of the saddle, the usual 9o casting fitting under the forward end ofthe pommel and unyieldingly supporting the same is dispensed with, and instead the arch of leather is left without a rigid support, the sides being connected by a shouldered crossj pin d, Whose reduced ends pass through the leather and are headed on the outer sides of the same, the pin being free to turn. A screwthreaded adjusting-rod is entered through a hole in the said cross-pin and has a hooked loo end to engage the usual spring foundation e.

The invention is not limited to the described details of construction, and the same maybe variously modified without affecting the essential features of the invention.

The saddle may have a row of orifices o for purposes of ventilation.

Vhat is claimed isl. A bicycle-saddle comprising a seat portion, a horn or pommel projecting forward therefrom and having an elastic cushion at the central portion thereof, the portion of the saddle at the rear of said cushion being of compara-tively unyielding construction, relatively to said cushion.

2. A bicycle-saddle comprising a seat portion, a horn or pommel having a exible casing or pouch extending lengthwise of the pornlnel7 and 'an elastic cushion in said casing; the portion at the rear of said cushion being of a comparatively unyielding construction, relatively to said cushion.

3.' A bicycle-saddle having a top composed of two layers of material, a strong and stilic under layer, and a thinner and more flexible upper layer, and one or more air-cushions between the layers; the portion of the saddle not occupied by a cushion being of a comparatively unyielding construction, relatively to said cushion.

4. A bicycle-saddle comprising a seat portion, a horn or pommel with an opening extending longitudinally of the horn for the greaterl portion of its length, and an elastic cushion arrangedin said Opening; the portion at the rear of said cushion being of a comparativel y nnyieldin g construction,relatively to said cushion.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses, this th day of October, A. D. 1897.

CHARLES F. BROWN, Administrator of the esae of James Alfred Lamplugh.

Witnesses:

A. D. HARRISON, E. BATCHELDER. 

